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WICHITA FALLS – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is inviting the media to tour North Texas State Hospital – Wichita Falls and learn more about construction plans for the $452 million replacement hospital during a community information session on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
“Thanks to a significant investment by Gov. Greg Abbott and the 88th Texas Legislature, our state hospitals are being replaced, upgraded and expanded,” said Scott Schalchlin, deputy executive commissioner of the HHSC Health and Specialty Care System. “These investments to our facilities will support HHSC’s continuing mission to provide high quality care in modern, therapeutic environments.”
Since 2017 Gov. Abbott and Texas lawmakers have invested more than $2.5 billion to replace, renovate or rebuild state hospitals across the state. HHSC owns and operates nine state hospitals for individuals experiencing mental illness and one residential treatment center for youth. Patients in these facilities require an in-patient level of care to treat their mental health challenges. State hospitals serve adults, children and adolescents through evidence-based care and treatment.
Construction on the replacement hospital is slated for summer 2024. The new facility will have 200 beds: 24 maximum-security, 136 forensic non-maximum security, 24 adolescent and 16 civil. Construction is estimated for completion in fall 2027.
The new hospital will feature state-of-the-art therapeutic spaces in a secure environment for patients, and have separate spaces for adult patients and adolescents. The maximum-security unit will have additional security measures in place to ensure the safety of patients, staff and the community.
The facility's history as a psychiatric institution dates back to 1922. Established through the 35th Texas Legislature in 1917, the hospital received patients from 62 counties in Northwest Texas.
During the community information session, HHSC will provide an overview of the expanding state hospital system and hold a question-and-answer session.
WHAT: North Texas State Hospital – Wichita Falls Media Tour and Community Information Session
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023
4-5 p.m. – Media Tour
6-7 p.m. – Community Information Session
WHERE: North Texas State Hospital - Wichita Falls Campus Chapel
6515 Kemp Blvd.
Wichita Falls, TX
Reporters should RSVP to Tiffany Young.
For more information about state hospital construction projects, visit the HHSC Changes to Texas State Hospitals page.